Chapter 13: Plans of Tomorrow
(Ashley's POV)
Ashley stretched and gave a long yawn as she woke up from the much needed sleep in her bed back in her apartment on Corneria. The squadron had all flown back the previous week from Papetoon and Reaper wasted no time in drilling them to the ground. Over the course of the week everyone else in the class had been in a total of 2 to 3 simulator battles a day along with an hour of physical training and 1 actual flight in their Arwing X's that Fara had revealed to be made by Phoenix Arms as training craft for their new top of the line models coming out in a month or so. Fara had even further surprised the class by promising them all that they would be receiving some of them a little early. This had resulted in the poor vixen being hounded by the rest of the students for details on the new ships but she managed to keep any details quite.
She wasn't the only one however. Ever since they had returned from Papetoon the other students at the school had been hounding those that had been on the mission for details and often found them in the form of Edmond who spun a fantastic tale of his exploits during a battle he wasn't even present for. However even his supposed achievements had paled in comparison to Ashley's own. When people heard that she had encountered a human squadron and even shot one down pretty much everyone wanted details. It had even gotten to the point where she appeared on television right beside General Peppy Hare.
(Activate Flashback Drive!)
"Hello people of Lylat this is Marlow Atkins with the Cornerian News Network (CNN) here to bring you a special report." The red tailed hawk began as he sat behind his news anchors desk. "As many with you have heard, recently a battle took place near Papetoon between pirate forces and elements of the Cornerian 3rd fleet. Here to tell us more of this troubling event is General Peppy Hare of the Cornerian Military and Ashley Vulama famous model, the last of the Vulama family, and who participated in the battle. Thank you both for talking with us today."
Across from the hawk sat General Hare and Ashley who both giving a nod to the reporter. "Now from what I understand of the battle, the objective of the pirates was to destroy a group of colonization ships that where transporting the newly rescued Cerinian people. This is when they were repelled by Cornerian ships of the 3rd fleet at great cost and succeeded through timely reinforcements." The reporter summarized before looking over at the pair of soldiers.
Peppy decided to answer "Yes the pirates where intending to destroy the ships and where beat back by Cerinian fighters, elements of the 3rd fleet, and reinforcements from Corneria." Peppy reaffirmed.
"As I understand it you where apart of this reinforcement unit Ms. Vulama?" Marlow asked as he turned to Ashley.
Ashley nodded "Yes, I was one of the pilots who responded but the unit was led by Commander Reaper of Shadow Team."
The hawk nodded as he looked down at some papers on his desk. "Yes indeed the leader of the human squadron and delegate of the Venom Defense Force. However during the battle it has come out that you unlocked your family's unique piloting gift. Is this true?"
Ashley hesitated before answering "Yes, I encountered a very skilled enemy pilot who was about to kill me when I unlocked the Vulama gift and managed to destroy him."
"And this pilot was supposedly a human?" The hawk asked deciding to dig a little.
Ashley glanced at General Hare who nodded before she answered "Yes he was a part of a squadron of human pirates that caused extensive damage to the 3rd fleet's fighter wing. Thankfully I was able to shoot one of them down while Reaper took out the remaining three."
The hawk nodded "I see…so General Hare how extensive is the damage to the 3rd fleet?" he asked.
Peppy leaned forward as he answered in a grave voice "I'm afraid that the damage is rather extensive. In addition to losing a few of their larger ships the 3rd fleet's fighter wing has been decimated by this battle. While the 3rd fleet still remains a formidable fighting force they have been restricted to colony protection until a time that we are able to replenish their fighter wing."
"I suppose that the coming graduating class will have no issue finding a job then. However what does this mean for the military situation for Corneria?" the reporter asked.
"Thankfully the 1st fleet had stepped up with conducting patrols inside the home systems and the 4th fleet has stepped up their patrols of the outer colonies and border areas." General Hare replied.
Marlow nodded "I see and what of the Human fighter squadron here on Corneria? I have heard that recently the Cornerian council has become rather vexed toward the group, Reaper in particular."
Ashley sighed in exasperation before she decided to answer. "They are rather vexed as you put it because they had intended to ground me and marry me off to one of their sons. However I decided that I wanted to stay with someone I knew a little better and so declared Reaper as my intended mate."
Marlow obviously was surprised but gave a courteous answer regardless "Really? In that case we at the Cornerian News Network extend to you our congratulations on your new status. I am curious however as I was under the impression that such a decision would be somewhat a longer process, any reason for the sudden declaration?" He asked.
"Thank you and yes. I was forced to make the decision because the Council decided to declare I was susceptible to Pack Law." Ashley answered.
"Truly? They reinstated that old law on you?!" Marlow asked shocked.
"Yes because of the council's decision I had to make a quick choice of a limited number of potentials and Reaper I thought would be the best bet because again I knew him and I also knew that he wouldn't demand I leave the military as well as that he apparently had the financial ability to take care of me as well as the prestige."
"Really what exactly where Mr. Reaper's credentials?" Marlow asked in curiosity.
General Hare decided to answer "Mr. Reaper is the political delegate of both the Venom Defense Force and to Human Space. He is the leader of one of the most feared squadrons in the galaxy and has access to advance technologies that outdate any of our own. He also is quite wealthy which was why he was considered one of the best options for someone under Pack Law which he is now that Ashley has chosen him as her mate."
(Flash Back End)
The rest of the interview had been fairly mundane with the reporter asking for small details of the battle and of the future of the Cerinian people. However the public's reactions to the news was what had caused Ashley so much stress.
The first impressions of the population of Corneria had been outrage toward Reaper's direction. The following day crowds would often line up near the school and protest the fact that the 'monster known as Reaper' would be allowed to teach in a school. Their slogans strewn with hateful messages would be accompanied with speeches from individuals in the crowed about how "the human is attempting to corrupt their youth" or "Forcing innocent girls to be his slaves" funny considering that Ashley would probably have been just that if the Cornerian council had its way. The crowed at first was rather sympathetic to her supposed enslavement, offering their reassurance that they would not let 'the skin bag' take her away to do what he pleased with her. The crowed even got bad enough to a point that Reaper was almost attacked anytime he walked back to his place.
The other students at Lylat academy shared the crowd's opinion at first but after she had explained what happened to the first couple of people who asked word seemed to spread and it had managed to placate many although not all. Many of her fellow students at least seemed ambivalent toward Reaper and shadow team though slightly weary while about thirty percent of them outright loathed them for various reasons. However their where some though admitted very few who actually liked the human squadron. These where mostly Reapers students along with those of the airborne classes, science classes, and a few other veteran pilots and soldiers.
The science class had been interacting with the humans a lot through asking them questions about human tech. They would also often go to Wrath for advice about projects or theory's. It had even gotten to a point that it was not unusual to see Wraith as a guest speaker in the class. The airborne classes where currently in the armored warfare part of their curriculum and the professor a male grizzly bear named Brutus had stuck up a friendship with the both Reaper and Rook and had them often come over to explain how humans use air power to support ground forces in a practice the humans called combined arms. Their where also some individuals here and there that saw the arrival of humans as a good thing for diplomatic reasons and military reasons. These groups combined only made up about ten percent of the population of the school however leaving the majority of the school as apathetic or openly oppressive.
As for the students within the Advanced Arial Combat class itself, there was mixed reactions. Most were shocked but a few had notable differences for one Edmond was downright furious when he heard he was in the running but didn't 'get her', Fate seemed a little hurt for some reason, and Fara was downright pissed. It was this last one that had confused her until Fara made her reasons why very clear two days after the news broke.
: Flash Back Drive ON:
Ashley had finally managed to corner Fara Phoenix in the hallway directly after AAC class. The last two days had Ashley witness how the vixen would shoot deadly glairs in her direction and refuse to talk with her, even going so far as to minimize the amount of time she was in the same presence as her. Ashley knew that she and Fara didn't interact a lot but she had thought they were at least on good terms. This behavior from the corporate heir concerned her greatly and made her try and attempt to confront the vixen. This led to her now standing in front of the female Phoenix who had her back to the lockers.
"Fara what the hell is your problem with me?!" Ashley shouted exasperated at the still angry glair the vixen was shooting her.
"You know EXACTLY what my problem with you is Vulama!" hissed Fara as she snarled right back at Ashley. The vixen stood in a stance that suggested that at any moment she might try and attack the female wolf in front of her.
"No I don't Fara! All I know is that as soon as I get back from Papetoon you seem to see me as soon kind of thief or criminal!" Ashley argued back taking a step toward Fara.
"That's because you are a thief!" Fara snarled directly in Ashley's face not backing down.
"W-what?" Ashley asked both surprised and confused.
Fara just huffed "Oh please like you don't know. I had thought it was pretty obvious that I was staking a claim to Reaper long before you all took off to Papetoon. Then suddenly I hear from my father that you and he are married. You just had to wait for the moment I wasn't around before swooping in to grab him! I was in love with that human before you came from nowhere and claimed him as your own!" Fara revealed as she vented her frustrations during her short but passionate rant. The two of them simply stood there in a silent standoff with Ashley shocked at Fara's admission and Fara herself relieved to finally air her feelings.
"…Well, we both think you're both being idiots about the whole thing." Spoke an annoyed voice to their right. The two females turned in alarm to discover Rook, shadow teams strategist along with Fay standing in the hall way staring at the pair with amusement.
The pair stood their stuttering in shock for a second before Ashley managed to speak. "W-what are you doing here?"
Rook just sighed before pointing a thumb at Fay "Well this lovely lady managed to get me to agree to a date today so the two of us where just leaving when we overheard your little spat." He answered before Fay gave a playful swat at his shoulder.
"Well after Lucy and I had a little talk I was the one who managed to get the first date." She chuckled.
Rook rose an eyebrow at his companion "How did you convince her to do that if I may ask?" he asked in confusion.
"Oh I promised she would get the first make out session with you." Fay answered with an innocent tone. Rook for his part just stared at her for a couple of seconds before sighing and holding his hands up in surrender.
"Y-you and Lucy are both going out with Rook!?" Fara asked in surprise.
Fay gave a happy nod "Yep! We both like him and know the other does as well so we decided to work it out between us and came to the decision we would share him!" Fay replied happily before she narrowed her eyes at the two females. "Which is what the two of you should be doing as well. It is clearly obvious that the pair of you both have feelings for Reaper along with Fate but are too stubborn to talk to one another. If you all just sat down and discussed the issue between you three you would likely reach an understanding and get back to being friends."
"F-fate like Reaper too!?" Ashley asked in shock.
Fay just sighed and rolled her eyes "Yes she is. Pretty obvious about it too if I might add. Now the two of you should get together and talk it over with her about what you're going to do with about your situation and stop trying to rip out each other's throats understood!?" Fay ordered in a scary tone making the pair nod their heads rapidly.
Fay seeing their response nodded happily and returned to her happy persona "Good, now if you will excuse me I have a date to go on. Let's go Rook." Fay announced as she half dragged Rook down the hall.
"Yeah, yeah I'm coming already." The human sighed as he left with the happy white poodle.
: Disengaging Flashback Drive:
After that the pair had decided to put their discussion on hold until they could include Fate. Until then they had quickly returned to normal and where no longer actively trying to ignore or avoid the other. In fact the two had bonded somewhat in their effort to think of a way to approach Fate gently about Reaper.
All of this had happened in the span of a week which had left Ashley a little numb as she never had the time to really think about the new direction her life was taking. However the weekend had allowed her some time to herself and she found that all things considered she liked the look of this new path she was on. Ashley glanced over to her alarm clock and saw that she had about an hour and a half to get through her morning routine before heading to school for the new week. So heading toward the shower while humming a tune the young engaged wolf eagerly anticipated what this new week would bring.
: Lylat Flight Academy, Faculty meeting room:
(Wraith POV) (Plot)
"The band should be present for both events in full regalia! They can't be absent for either!" Mr. Gulch an elderly goffer and event planer of the school exclaimed to the assembled faculty. In his opinion Wraith shouldn't have been included in this meeting but Reaper had insisted that he come along as he was basically an assistant teacher to the engineering class. Unfortunately in a moment of sever boredom he had accepted.
"And I'm trying to tell you that having our band students prepare to play for two massively important events in less than a week and only a day apart will put too much pressure on them." Mrs. Glenda a poodle and head of the academy's music department retorted.
Wraith understood her point as well. Not only did the band have to play for the senior classes graduation ceremony the coming Friday but apparently many wanted them to also play for an arriving dignitary who was going to inspect the school. The fact that said dignitary was none other than Admiral Rachel Halsey of Corneria's 4th Fleet, the youngest Admiral ever, and one of the academies most honored alumni only made her arrival that much more prestigious.
"I highly doubt that the Admiral would want to make this event an over the top production. She rather dislikes grandiose occasions from what I hear." Professor Brutus stated with a dismissive shrug.
"Well… very well than if you believe that she would prefer to go without the band upon her arrival than we can do without them." Mr. Gulch gave in which earned Brutus a thankful nod from Mrs. Glenda. "However there are some details that need to be addressed about both events. For one we need to appoint a guide for the admiral as she goes about her tour." Mr. Gulch continued "I was told she requested Reaper for that duty so I would ask that you find a replacement for you class Mr. Reaper."
Reaper for his part looked surprised from where he stood next to Wraith before he nodded "I can had it over to Rook for a while. As I made you all aware yesterday myself, Death, and Nightmare will be absent the next day until late Friday but I can postpone our departure until after the admirals tour finishes." Reaper answered.
"Thank you Mr. Reaper I have also been informed that the two new students will be arriving to you class from the Cerinian's the same day." Mr. Gulch informed to which Reaper nodded. "Anyway to the next order of business "The Star Fox team has been asked to do a flyby of the Stadium for the graduation ceremony. They will be excused for that days classes as they have accepted the job." After all of the teachers nodded the goffer seemed to look over his notes one last time before he nodded "Well that appears to be everything for the now. Thank you all for your time. I'll let you all get back to preparing for your morning classes." After this the assembled faculty started to get up and go about their own business.
Wraith stood up and cracked his neck before turning to Reaper "Well that was almost as bad as watching paint dry why did I have to sit throw this again?" he asked his flight lead.
Reaper gave Wraith an amused glance before he answered "Because I have some instructions for you that need to be done quickly. First Bravo finally got back to us and has agreed to the deal. Death, Nightmare, and I will be leaving late Wednesday to meet up with him and acquire the new craft. In the mean time I want you to spec the Phantoms for Lylat pilots."
Wraith rose a questioning brow "Really? You're going to allow a few of the students pilot them?" he asked.
"Yes" Reaper nodded "Ashley's family has that ability that would allow her to pilot a Phantom. Also Nick, Bryan, and Fang show promise. I'll wait and see for a bit but since we won't be flying them anymore and they are still better than the new models we will be getting from Phoenix Arms so why not reward them for working their asses off in the simulators."
Wraith nodded "Anything else?"
Reaper nodded before continuing "Yeah, I've gotten word from Hydra HQ. Apparently a lot more human mercs have been moving in the direction of Lylat so Hydra has gathered a small fleet and will be arriving in system in a couple of days so Ill likely return with them in tow."
Wraith winced "That bad huh? What exactly did you need me to do?"
"I want you to get Lilly trained up on Human communication systems. If she is going to be our coordinator then she needs to be familiar with the systems and protocols. Also Anabel needs to be given some material on human anatomy in case one of us gets fucked up and we decide that we still want whoever it is to stick around." Reaper supplied
Wraith thought about it for a second before answering "I can probably rig up some software in a couple of hour for Lilly to get acquainted with. As for Annabel I'll forward some reading material to Deaths PDA. From what I've seen the two have been around each other quite often."
"Their dating." Reaper explained.
"Ah so he is also into the whole Lylat thing. I'll stay single myself thanks." Wraith sighed.
"To each their own." Reaper shrugged before the two were forced to leave and prepare for that mornings class.
"So what do you think we should do to torture them today?" Wraith asked as they started walking away.
"Evasion and decoy training. I'm trapping them in a box valley filled with enemy SAM sites and telling them to run while dodging ground fire and enemy interceptors." Reaper answered before the two disappeared down the hall.
Annnd Chapter! Sorry guys that I have been gone for so long but life and school got in the way along with a severe case of writers block and a theft that took my IPad making me discontinue one of my stories. Anyway I know this chapter is basically filler but it needs to happen. There will be another chapter or two before we see an actual fight again but that's unavoidable. But I compensated with some hints as to what to expect to happen late in the story. Also here is a little treat. Below is the military strength of some of the planets of Lylat.
Zoness Defense Fleet (ZDF) - 1 Super Carrier, 1 Heavy Battleship, 4 Battleships, 2 Heavy Cruisers, 8 Light Cruisers, 4 Heavy Frigates, 17 Frigates, 5 Destroyers
Macbeth Defense Ships (MDS) - 6 Battleships, 4 Heavy Cruisers, 8 Cruisers, 3 Light Carriers, 10 Heavy Frigates, 6 Light Frigates, 8 Destroyers
Venom Defense Vessel (VDV) - 1 Super Battleships, 2 Battleships, 3 Heavy Cruisers, 6 Light Cruisers, 8 Heavy Cruisers, 15 Light Cruisers, 4 Destroyers, 1 Heavy Carrier, 3 Carriers
Aquas Military Ship (AMS)- 2 Battleships, 1 Carrier, 4 Light Cruisers, 1 Heavy Frigates, 6 Light frigates, 1 Destroyer
Papetoon Defense Vessel (PDV) - 1 Heavy Cruiser, 4 Light Cruisers, 2 Light Carriers, 2 Heavy Frigates, 7 Frigates
Cerinia Military Ship (CMS) - 4 Colony Ships
Corneria Military Vessel (CMV)- 1 Heavy Battleship, 3 Heavy Carriers, 1 Battle Carrier, 6 Battleships, 3 Light Carrier, 14 Heavy Cruisers, 15 Light Cruisers, 4 Heavy Frigates, 25 Frigates, 11 destroyers
Fichina Defense Ships (FDS) - 1 Heavy Carrier, 2 Light Carriers, 3 Heavy Cruisers, 6 Light Cruisers, 2 Heavy Frigates, 10 Light Frigates
Katina Defense Fleet (KDF) - 2 Heavy Battleships, 8 Battleships, 4 Light Carriers, 10 Heavy Cruisers, 6 Light Cruisers, 8 Heavy Frigates, 4 Light Frigates, 2 Destroyers
Anyway till next time, Stay frosty and don't forget to review!